Leaving a broadcast channel

Abstract

A method for leaving a multicast computer network is disclosed. The method allows for the disconnection of a first computer from a second computer. When the first computer decides to disconnect from the second computer, the first computer sends a disconnect message to the second computer. Then, when the second computer receives the disconnect message from the first computer, the second computer broadcasts a connection port search message to find a third computer to which it can connect.

We claim:  
     
       1. A method of disconnecting a first computer from a second computer, the first computer and the second computer being connected to a broadcast channel, said broadcast channel forming an m-regular graph where m is at least 3, the method comprising: 
       when the first computer decides to disconnect from the second computer, the first computer sends a disconnect message to the second computer, said disconnect message including a list of neighbors of the first computer; and  
       when the second computer receives the disconnect message from the first computer, the second computer broadcasts a connection port search message on the broadcast channel to find a third computer to which it can connect in order to maintain an m-regular graph, said third computer being one of the neighbors on said list of neighbors.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the second computer receives a port connection message indicating that the third computer is proposing that the third computer and the second computer connect. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the first computer disconnects from the second computer after sending the disconnect message. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the broadcast channel is implemented using the Internet. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the first computer and second computer are connected via a TCP/IP connection. 
     
     
       6. A method for healing a disconnection of a first computer from a second computer, the computers being connected to a broadcast channel, said broadcast channel being an m-regular graph where m is at least 3, the method comprising: 
       attempting to send a message from the first computer to the second computer; and  
       when the attempt to send the message is unsuccessful, broadcasting from the first computer a connection port search message indicating that the first computer needs a connection; and  
       having a third computer not already connected to said first computer respond to said connection port search message in a manner as to maintain an m-regular graph.  
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6  including: 
       when a third computer receives the connection port search message and the third computer also needs a connection, sending a message from the third computer to the first computer proposing that the first computer and third computer connect.  
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7  including: 
       when the first computer receives the message proposing that the first computer and third computer connect, sending from the first computer to the third computer a message indicating that the first computer accepts the proposal to connect the first computer to the third computer.  
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 6  wherein each computer connected to the broadcast channel is connected to at least three other computers. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 6  wherein the broadcasting includes sending the message to each computer to which the first computer is connected. 
     
     
       11. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling disconnecting of a computer from another computer, the computer and the other computer being connected to a broadcast channel, said broadcast channel being an m-regular graph where m is at least 3, comprising: 
       a component that, when the computer decides to disconnect from the other computer, the computer sends a disconnect message to the other computer, said disconnect message including a list of neighbors of the computer; and  
       a component that, when the computer receives a disconnect message from another computer, the computer broadcasts a connection port search message on the broadcast channel to find a computer to which it can connect in order to maintain an m-regular graph, said computer to which it can connect being one of the neighbors on said list of neighbors.  
     
     
       12. The computer-readable medium of  claim 11  including: 
       a component that, when the computer receives a connection port search message and the computer needs to connect to another computer, sends to the computer that sent the connection port search message a port connection message indicating that the computer is proposing that the computer that sent the connection port search message connect to the computer.  
     
     
       13. The computer-readable medium of  claim 12  including: 
       a component that, when the computer receives a port connection message, connecting to the computer that sent the port connection message.  
     
     
       14. The computer-readable medium of  claim 11  wherein the computers are connected via a TCP/IP connection. 
     
     
       15. The computer-readable medium of  claim 11  wherein the computers that are connected to the broadcast channel are peers. 
     
     
       16. The computer-readable medium of  claim 11  wherein the broadcast channel is implemented using the Internet.